wolgamuth



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

F. F. WOLGAMUTH.

POTATO PLANTER.

No. 318,224. Patented May 19, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.. P. F. WOLG-AMUTH.

POTATO PLANTE'R.

No. 318,224. PatentedMay 19, 1885.

\ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS F. WOLGAMUTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO EDWARD K. WOLGAMUTH, OF SAME PLACE.

POTATO-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,224, dated May 19, 1885.

Application filed December 18, 1884. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS F. WoLGA- MUTH, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Planters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which'it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in potato-planters, the object of the same being to provide a device of this character which shall be light and durable in construction, and by means of which the plants will be dropped with great uniformity and of equal distance apart.

A further object is to provide a device of the above character which shall be simple and economical in construction and durable and efficient in use; and with these ends in View my invention consists in the certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a view thereof in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine; and Fig. 4 is a detached view, partly in section, sl1owing the manner of securing the belt H to the machine-frame.

A represents the drivewheel, loosely mounted on the axle B, which is rigidly secured to the shafts or side frames, 0, the said shafts being separated a sufficient distance to conveniently admit an operator between them.

The wheel A is of any ordinary construe tion, and is provided on its felly or rim with a lateral flange, D. The flange may be continuous, or, if preferred, the wheel may be provided with lateral extending arms located at the terminal of the spokes, which will insure increased lightness of weight to the machine.

The shafts O are suitably braced, as shown, and are provided near their upper ends with the belt-wheel E, which is journaled on a suitable axle secured between the said shafts C.

To the flange D and the belt-wheel E is suitably attached the endle'ss belt E, which is of sufficient width to accommodate on its face the feed-cups G, which are secured on the up- 5 5' per face thereof by means of suitable rivets or spurs; or, if preferred,the cups may be secured thereto by means of a wire or cord passing through suitable perforations in the cups and belt.

The circular strip H may be made of leather, canvas, or any other desired material, and is secured to the metallic plate I in any desired manner. The plate I is centrally enlarged and perforated to accommodate the screwthreaded bolt J, which is suitably secured therein.

To the upper and lower portions of the belt are rigidly secured the arms or braces K, adapted to register in suitable boxes or clasps, L, situated on the top and bottom of the shafts O, near the upper ends of the same. The bolt J is inserted in a longitudinal perforation formed in the shafts between the said boxes L. The belt is then secured to the shafts by 5 means of a nut secured to the bolt J. For the purpose of additionally strengthening the connection between the shafts and the belt, the clasps L may be screw-threaded and provided with thumb-screws,which may be caused toim- 8o pinge against the arms K and securely hold the same in position on the shafts.

It will be seen that the belt can be brought in contact with the side of the shafts; or, if desired, the space can be decreased atpleasure. 8 5

The operation of the machine is such that when the operator pushes the same the wheel A revolves and carries with it the belt F. The operator then places the plant in the cup presented, and the same is carried around until the cup is inverted and the plant falls into the furrow.

Iwould have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described, as the same is capable of slight variations Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention-as, for instance, instead of locating the flange D upon the rim of the wheel, the same can be located on the hub of the wheel A. I00

My invention is simple and economical in construction and durable and efficient 1n use.

of a belt secured to the machine, for attach-- ment to the body of the operator, and devices for feeding the potatoes to the ground, substantially as set forth. r 3. The combination,with a potato-plante having a ground-Wheel journaled in one end thereof, and an endless belt driven by the ground wheel and passing about a roller near the operator, and provided with seed-receptaoles, of a belt adjustably secured to the machine, for attachment to the body of the operator, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a shaft or side rails and a ground-wheel j ournaled in one end thereof, and a belt secured to the side rails of the machine, for attachment to the body of the operator, of an endless belt driven by said ground-wheel, said belt passing about a roller near the operator, and provided with seed-receptacles, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANCIS F. WOLGAMUTH."

Witnesses:

JAMES L. PHILLIPS,. J'os. R. TINDALL. 

